📍 BOSTON, MA
Fine Antique Rugs in Boston’s Design Heart
First Rugs at SoWa Art+Design District brings together antique Persian, Oushak, and hand-knotted rugs from around the world — curated by fourth-generation rug dealer Ali Khaledi and Cynthia First, with 25+ years of expertise.
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500 Harrison Avenue, Suite 107, Boston, MA 02118
🕐 Tue–Thu, 10 AM–5 PM & By Appt
BOSTON SOWA SHOWROOM
Where Boston’s Design Community Finds Its Rugs
Nestled in Boston’s SoWa Art+Design District — the South End’s creative quarter where studios, galleries, and design showrooms share the same storied brick buildings — First Rugs brings a world-class collection of antique and hand-knotted rugs to the heart of the city’s design community.
The Boston showroom draws from a collection of more than 6,000 pieces sourced directly from weave centers across Persia, Anatolia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. What you’ll find here is not a curated-for-mass-market selection — it’s the same depth of inventory that has made First Rugs the destination for Greater Boston’s interior designers, antique collectors, and serious homeowners for over 25 years.
Ali Khaledi — a fourth-generation Persian rug dealer — and Cynthia First travel to weave centers around the world to source directly from artisans. Every rug in the showroom is hand-knotted or hand-woven. First Rugs does not carry machine-made rugs.
Visit the Boston Showroom
📍 500 Harrison Avenue, Suite 107
Boston, MA 02118
SoWa Art+Design District, South End
🕐 Tuesday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Also available by appointment
📞 (978) 739-9033
✉️ info@firstrugs.com
Inventory rotates regularly. Contact us in advance if you’re seeking a specific rug type, size, or origin — we’ll ensure the right pieces are available for your visit.
THE COLLECTION
What Rug Types Does First Rugs Carry in Boston?
The Boston SoWa showroom features a curated cross-section of First Rugs’ 6,000+ piece inventory. Selections rotate regularly — contact us if you’re searching for a specific type, size, or period.
Antique Persian Rugs
Serapi, Heriz, Kerman, Isfahan, Gabbeh, Jajim, Afshar, and more — sourced directly from Iran by Ali Khaledi, whose family has been in the trade for four generations.
Oushak & Turkish Rugs
Antique and vintage Oushak rugs from western Anatolia — prized for their large-scale medallions, muted wool palette, and exceptional versatility in contemporary interiors.
Vintage & Mid-Century Rugs
Hand-knotted rugs from the mid-20th century, including pieces with natural dye abrash and the distinctive patina that only decades of careful use can produce.
Tribal & Caucasian Rugs
Kazak, Karajeh, Afghan, and tribal pieces woven by nomadic and semi-nomadic groups — each one a textile record of a distinct weaving tradition.
Modern Hand-Knotted Rugs
Contemporary designs executed in traditional hand-knotting technique — pieces that carry the quality and longevity of antique craftsmanship in modern colorways.
Custom Rugs
First Rugs works with clients and interior designers to commission custom hand-knotted rugs — custom dimensions, palette, and design to fit your exact space.
"The SoWa location puts us right in the middle of Boston's design conversation. Interior designers working on South End townhouses, Back Bay apartments, and Cambridge renovations come here knowing they'll find something they can't find anywhere else — a rug with a real story, made by real hands, that will outlast everything else in the room."
Cynthia First
Owner, First Rugs · 25+ years sourcing fine hand-knotted rugs
Full-Service Fine Rug Care
Does First Rugs Offer Services Beyond Selling Rugs?
First Rugs serves as a lifelong partner for your rug — from acquisition through cleaning, repair, and restoration. Services are available to all rug owners, not just customers who purchased from us.
Rug Cleaning
Professional hand-knotted rug cleaning — protecting the wool, dyes, and foundation. Recommended every 1–3 years. Stain removal, moth treatment, and stain guard available.
Repair & Restoration
Minor repairs completed on-site. Complex reweaving and antique carpet restoration handled by skilled craftsmen. Even severely damaged antique rugs can often be restored.
Design Consultation
In-home consultations with space measuring for Boston-area clients. First Rugs works with interior designers through a formal trade partnership program.
Consignment & Trade
Lifetime trade policy on any rug purchased from First Rugs. Consignment accepted for quality pieces from private collections — a trusted option for downsizing or redecorating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit
Where is the First Rugs Boston showroom located?
First Rugs Boston is at 500 Harrison Avenue, Suite 107, Boston, MA 02118, in the SoWa Art+Design District — the South End's creative hub for art, design, and fine furnishings. The building is the iconic red-brick SoWa complex on Harrison Avenue. Street parking is available on Harrison Avenue and adjacent streets. Call (978) 739-9033 if you need directions.
What are the hours for First Rugs in Boston?
The Boston SoWa showroom is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Appointments are available outside these hours — ideal if you'd like a private viewing or consultation. Contact us at (978) 739-9033 or info@firstrugs.com to arrange a visit.
What kinds of antique and hand-knotted rugs does First Rugs carry in Boston?
The Boston showroom features a rotating selection from First Rugs' collection of 6,000+ antique and hand-knotted rugs. This includes antique Persian rugs (Serapi, Heriz, Kerman, Isfahan, Gabbeh, Jajim), vintage Turkish Oushak rugs, Caucasian tribal rugs (Kazak, Karajeh), Afghan rugs, modern hand-knotted designs, and custom rugs. Every rug in the showroom is hand-knotted or hand-woven — no machine-made pieces.
Is First Rugs in Boston right for interior designers?
Yes — First Rugs in Boston's SoWa district has long served the Greater Boston interior design community. The showroom is located in the same district as other design trade professionals, making it a natural destination for designers specifying rugs for residential and commercial projects. First Rugs operates a formal trade program with designer pricing and partnership benefits. Contact info@firstrugs.com to inquire about trade membership.
Does First Rugs offer rug cleaning and repair services in the Boston area?
Yes. First Rugs offers professional rug cleaning, repair, and restoration services to clients in Boston and Greater Boston. Minor repairs can be completed on-site; more complex reweaving and antique carpet restoration is handled by specialist craftsmen. Services are available to all rug owners — you don't need to have purchased your rug from First Rugs. Call (978) 739-9033 or visit our services page for details.
Who are the owners of First Rugs and what is their background?
First Rugs is owned by Cynthia First and Ali Khaledi. Cynthia brings more than 25 years of expertise in fine rugs, with a background as an antiques dealer and interior design firm owner. Ali Khaledi is a fourth-generation Persian rug dealer from Shiraz, Iran — one of the world's great rug-producing centers — whose family has been in the trade for generations. Together they travel to weave centers globally to source directly from artisans, ensuring authenticity and quality at every level of the collection.
Getting Here
How to Find First Rugs at SoWa Boston
- By MBTA: Orange Line to Back Bay Station, then a 10-minute walk south on Washington Street to Harrison Avenue. SL4 Silver Line to East Berkeley Street also serves the area.
- Parking: Street parking available on Harrison Avenue and surrounding South End streets. The SoWa building has limited on-site parking — arrival by transit is recommended on weekends.
- By car from I-93: Take Exit 18 (Mass Ave / South Boston). Follow Mass Ave north to Melnea Cass Blvd, then turn right onto Harrison Avenue. Suite 107 is on the ground floor of the SoWa complex.
Nearest landmarks: SoWa Open Market (summers), Boston Center for the Arts, the South End's gallery district.
